Adopted: Autumn Red ("Red")

Adopted:  2006 Sex:  Gelding Age:  8 years Height:  15.2h Breeding:  by Turbulent Chris out of Early Heather by Class A Red is a jolly, friendly, intelligent fellow who loves on the ground attention. He has quite a strong personality and although he sometimes needs a firm hand he does not kick or bite - in fact he really loves to socialize. Red was trained in basic Dressage and jumping by his former owner and she informed us he was a cooperative and athletic mount. He was kicked by another horse in her pasture and the injury was severe enough that she could no longer keep him. However, Red has been with New Stride for a year and now is walking, trotting and galloping all around 20 acres without a trace of lameness. He is now ready to ride again as a pleasure and/or trail horse. Autumn Red has been adopted by Catherine and Carolyn Cook of Bridge Lake B.C. Carolyn is an 11 year old girl who is very involved in 4-H in her community. She was ready to graduate from the ponies she had been riding and she and her mom, Catherine, were looking for a bigger horse who had some training and good looks, and, who could blend into their family life at Cook’s Corner Ranch. They saw Autumn Red on the New Stride web site and came down to Langley to try him out. Carolyn and Red liked each other immediately and Carolyn was very confident in her ability to handle him on the ground and on his back. They looked a beautiful match from the moment Carolyn got on him. Red (renamed Taz) is now settling happily into his new home and Carolyn is successfully handling and riding him every day. Update from Catherine, Aug 23, 2006 Carolyn and Taz are back from the 4-H Show that was held in Williams Lake where they showed what they have learned together over the duration of her "project." One of the more difficult aspects of 4-H is that at this event I am not allowed to help her with her project, Taz, in any way, because the 4-H motto is learn to do by doing. She had to do everything from unloading him from the trailer to tacking him up to feeding and caring for him in every way and she did great. We arrived Friday night after 9 pm and she was able to get him safely to his stall in the dark with cows mooing and other horses and lots of things going on. The next morning we were short of time, but she showed him the arena and warmed him up. He was a little fresh and excited but once the show started he was quite good with waiting with the other horses for the different classes. It was a hot, sunny day and he is more relaxed than when it's cool. (I'm so glad he's not bothered by the wind, because it was windy all day.) They got second place in their equitation unit, third in the pleasure class, 5th in the trail class, and 6th in the showmanship class. Because she was 2nd in the equitation unit she got to compete in the Grand Champion class in equitation and Zaria, the junior who placed first in her unit, placed 2nd even competing against the seniors. So .... just getting to the Grand Champion class was a wonderful achievement for Carolyn & Taz. They were also one of 4 from the juniors and seniors to be brought back to compete in the best groomed championship class, so even though they didn't win a prize it was an honour to be picked to compete in this class. In the afternoon they had a few games. It was fun to watch them trot the barrel pattern in an English saddle and clothes and they placed 5th in that. They also did wonderfully in the poles, also at a trot, and placed 4th. I couldn't get any pictures because I was nabbed to time them. The last game was the ride-a-buck, and I really didn't think Carolyn was ready to try this but she wanted to, so in they went, bareback, to try. They were the first to lose their "buck" (play money placed just above the knee between girl and horse), but it was wonderful that she had the confidence in herself and her horse to try walking, trotting and maybe cantering bareback in the ring with other kids and their horses. I am really proud of both of them. Taz is a real challenge for Carolyn, but she is rising to it and she will be a much better rider for it. Taz is beginning to understand his new role, and is getting used to being hauled in different trailers to different events. Here is a picture of them with their 2nd place ribbon in equitation and Zaria and Miss Hollywood with their first place ribbon behind them. Their smiles tell it all, I think. Here is a picture of them with the judge in the Best Groomed Championship Class. (We had lots of fun braiding his mane and tail, I did his tail and Carolyn did most of his mane. Next time I'll use some gel to get the top of the tail to stay in place.) This is probably our last event for this year. There is a horse show in 100 Mile House in September that we would love to go to, but I think we have spent as much as we can getting to the events we have already. So this is probably the last report you'll get until next year. Thanks again, Catherine Cook To see horses currently available for adoption, please visit our Horses for Adoption page!

---